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May 19, 2013
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (cont.)

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes

The cause of CFS is unknown, but the condition may be related to infection with effects on the immune system. Several viruses have been studied as possible causes of CFS, but no cause-and-effect relationship has been discovered. Some evidence indicates that the bacterium Chlamydia pneumoniae (which causes pneumonia and other illnesses) may be a cause of CFS in some cases. People with chronic fatigue syndrome related to C. pneumoniae are most likely to respond to antibiotics that kill C. pneumoniae, and their CFS symptoms may improve with antibiotic medications such as doxycycline. However, this association is still being debated. Various unrelated infections appear to lead to long-term fatigue in some people. If the fatigue is accompanied by problems with short-term memory or concentration, CFS is possible.

Other conditions that cause symptoms similar to those of CFS must be ruled out. These include the following:

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Causes

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Coping With the Symptoms

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Effective Treatment

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome »

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disorder of unknown etiology that probably has an infectious basis.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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